Strategy Adjustments of the United States and the European Union vis-à-vis China: Democratic Global Power Identities and Fluid Polygonal Relations

Abstract

How are the European Union and its individual member states positioning themselves within the intensifying trade war and power struggles between Washington and Beijing? Does the fact that both the United States and the EU have recently updated their strategic approach to China and continuously underline their democratic regime patterns and support for like-minded systems—contrasted with Beijing as a perceived promoter of an illiberal world order—imply a return of “Cold War” system antagonism? Could this also result in a reemergence of strategic triangles? Shedding light on Washington’s expression of active support for Taiwan (and Hong Kong) and EUrope’s related position statements, this article concludes that these emerging constellations would best be described as strategic polygonal relationships. While the EU Commission seeks to formulate a common foreign and security strategy, the various EU member states are defining their distinct positions within the new global power matrix emerging between Washington and Beijing.